FSRI introduces new WUI firefighting training on structure triage and risk assessment

Structure triage course expands WUI firefighting training

The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, has released a new training course titled Structure Triage Considerations for Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting.

According to FSRI, the course bridges the gap between traditional wildland and structural firefighting training, providing guidance on assessing structure defensibility and allocating resources under extreme conditions.

The course is available free of charge and includes a certificate of completion upon successful completion.

It has a duration of 140 minutes and was last updated on Monday 22 September 2025.

The content is categorised under Wildland/WUI and focuses on helping firefighters operate effectively in mixed fire environments.

Course content and learning objectives

FSRI said the course enables participants to identify fuels present in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), both natural and manmade, and understand how these fuels influence fire spread mechanisms.

Participants will also learn to analyse structural ignition pathways and their contribution to ignition risk and fire spread, supporting informed decision making in resource-limited scenarios.

The training covers how community layout, access and egress, and surrounding landscape influence resilience and conflagration potential.

FSRI added that the course integrates research findings and post-fire analyses to demonstrate how both structural and community features affect outcomes in WUI incidents.

Research-based training approach

The course builds on FSRI’s wider research into WUI incidents, combining scientific analysis with practical field application.

By interpreting data from previous fires, the course highlights how ignition pathways and fuel types interact in densely populated areas exposed to wildland fire conditions.

It also draws attention to how environmental and community-level variables can determine whether a structure is defensible or beyond protection.

According to UL Research Institutes, this approach aims to strengthen firefighters’ ability to make rapid, evidence-based decisions during fast-moving incidents.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The new FSRI course is particularly relevant for fire and rescue training officers, incident commanders and firefighters operating in areas where wildland and urban environments meet.

It offers structured guidance on evaluating structural defensibility and resource allocation during WUI events, aligning with current challenges faced by crews responding to climate-driven fire activity.

Fire engineers, risk assessors and community resilience planners may also find the material valuable for understanding how design, access and landscape influence fire behaviour in interface zones.

The integration of scientific data and operational lessons makes the course a useful tool for those involved in both tactical response and long-term preparedness planning.